Anna Hazare pumps up agitation with mass huger strikes

Pune, Apr 6: The anti-corruption drive by social activist, Anna Hazare is snowballing into a movement and the authorities seem to be sitting up to take notice. The 'fast unto death' protest against corruption has hit a nerve with the "aam aadmi" and has found many takers in view of the rampant malpractices within the system.

The protest that kicked off on Tuesday is only gaining force day-by-day. The day also saw more than 300 people taking part in a token huger strike to express their solidarity with Hazare. Hazare is taking on the administration head-on and pressurizing them to implement the Jan Lokpal bill that aims to eliminate corruption.

K D Pawar, the coordinator of the 'India Against Corruption movement' and the 'Bhraschtachar Virodhi Jan Andolan,' that was also floated by Hazare has been quoted as saying, "Activists and common citizens started a chain hunger strike at different places in the city." The strike reminiscent of a mass movement involved a group of people who kicked off fasting near the Pune Collectorate, the Pune Municipal Corporation and at Sambhaji garden. The protest also saw the participation of Right to Information (RTI) activists in the city.

The movement has irked various political parties that had to bear the brunt of Hazare's fiery rhetoric that doesn't seem to spare anyone. Pawar added on the future of the campaign, "The chain hunger strike will continue till April 11 and a 'Jail Bharo' agitation will be launched on April 12, whereby people and activists will court arrest."

Many star campaigners have joined the protest besides 40 or more organizations showing support to the cause. In a statement issued by the All-India Anti-Corruption Committee, "There is a need to get rid of corruption and the Lokpal bill has to be very stringent. Even the prime minister should come under the purview of this bill."